: Wed May 20, 2009 1:01 pm  

nobody can for see future and lads getting injured in warm ups and such but i know a lad who was 18th man and coaches still picked sum1 else instead of him! i think its a case of his face doesnt fit!!

i also dont think anyone is having a go at lads coaching staff yes!
i played for dons/dragons acadamy alliance and reserve and on occasions we had to ring people to come and play there is nothing wrong with it, it beats playing wi 15 or 16 because that doesnt look good!

: Wed May 20, 2009 4:10 pm  

insideman wrote:

nobody can for see future and lads getting injured in warm ups and such but i know a lad who was 18th man and coaches still picked sum1 else instead of him! i think its a case of his face doesnt fit!!

i also dont think anyone is having a go at lads coaching staff yes!
i played for dons/dragons acadamy alliance and reserve and on occasions we had to ring people to come and play there is nothing wrong with it, it beats playing wi 15 or 16 because that doesnt look good!

The player who turned up as 18th man for the York (H) fixture and was then overlooked in favour of someone else is a friend of mine. What really p155ed him off even more was the player who had to drop out at short notice played in the same position as him, yet the player drafted in over his head did not! Now that is p155 poor management/coaching if I've ever seen it. The bloke has already played at this level at a different club and accepts that you're not always going to get a start, so has total understanding of what it takes to play at this level (Quote from 'bigjohn'), but when decisions like that are made you must start to wonder what is going on?

And Bandito is correct in every point. The 18 should be selected prior to match day, leaving the rest of the squad to decide what to do with their saturdays, be it support the team, work, play an alternative sport or go on a massive bender on friday night if they want to.

As for the 'Amateur' game comment about not bothering after 4 games, the reason for this is clear for all to see. If the team were performing well and results were improving theres always the thought that you 'Don't change a winning team'.
But look at the results!
As already stated, my friend (the one already mentioned, I've more than one in the reserves) knows exactly what it entails to play at reserve level, and would quite willingly adhere to that. What he won't put up with is being messed about when it looks as though his face doesn't fit.

Good luck for the rest of the season, I think the lads are going to need it.

: Wed May 20, 2009 10:31 pm  

Gargoyle wrote:

Many of the points on here are indicative of why the team are getting thumped. My aquaintance, who played Academy/reserves a couple of seasons ago (at another club) has said despite signing a contract he doesn't think he'll bother any more. He says he's only missed a couple of training sessions due to work commitments yet not even been on the bench despite the poor results and the coaches saying everyone will get a chance. He was one of just NINE who turned up for training prior to the blank weekend a couple of weeks ago and still didn't get a shirt the following week, as the coaches seem to have their own favourites who are in come what may. As previously stated, when they do train its been poorly organised. And results and performances (York away excepted) suggest quite frankly some are not up to the required standard.
So as interest drops off from the lads who turn up for training but don't play, and the exodus from the first team continues you have to ask if the reserves will fulfil their fixtures?
As for the on field 'disagreements' there are one or two players turning out whose egos far outweigh the talent they have. I spotted this in the pre season friendly against Nottingham Outlaws when a couple of players were moaning at some of the others rather than what usually happens when an error is made ie a pat on back and encouragement to both player involved and rest of team.
I wasn't at the game on saturday, but a mate of mine said it was a complete shambles, embarrassing was the expression he used.

As for the bricks on the pitch, someone is going to get a serious injury. My son played on it earlier in the season, and said it was downright dangerous. When he heard the reserves were to play on it he said opposition clubs would end up reporting it to the RFL, it's that bad. Either Toll Bar have to get out and scour it for rubble or another venue should be used until its sorted properly. Wheatley Hills would be ideal, and I'm sure they would welcome them with open arms (and no, I have no connection with them whatsoever).

As for players having to make their own way to away games, that is the height of amateurism. How many do you think will drive to Whitehaven with the possibility of getting 100 put past them for pay (if they ever get any) that wont even cover the cost of the fuel used?

All in all it looks like a complete shambles from where I'm standing.

Just been told some of the reserves who have been getting mullered are in the first team squad for tomorrow.
Get your house on Halifax getting 80 (and I say that with absolutely no pleasure).
As previously stated-we've had it!

: Wed May 20, 2009 11:08 pm  

A mere setback.....in the history of the Dons.....and nothing new.
I will be there.

: Thu May 21, 2009 10:27 am  

Good luck to the boys who have been called up to the first team for

tonights game and to the rest of the lads for their match on Friday

Lets get behind both teams and show our support

: Thu May 21, 2009 11:37 am  

bigjohn wrote:

Good luck to the boys who have been called up to the first team for

tonights game and to the rest of the lads for their match on Friday

Lets get behind both teams and show our support

I'm with you on that bigjohn but it's a sorry state of affairs I'm afraid.
I was there at Tattersfield in 1995 when 'Fax beat us 0-72 and we were lucky to get nil. An even bigger defeat could be on cards for them although I hope they prove me wrong.

(PS it was £6 to get in to the reserves at Hunslet 2 years ago when my mate played. Take plenty of cash!)

: Thu May 21, 2009 12:01 pm  

£3 now

: Thu May 21, 2009 1:06 pm  

Gargoyle wrote:

I'm with you on that bigjohn but it's a sorry state of affairs I'm afraid.
I was there at Tattersfield in 1995 when 'Fax beat us 0-72 and we were lucky to get nil. An even bigger defeat could be on cards for them although I hope they prove me wrong.

(PS it was £6 to get in to the reserves at Hunslet 2 years ago when my mate played. Take plenty of cash!)

You never know the underdogs have come out on top before as long as they do their best thats all you can ask for under the circumstances.

what a game for those reserve players to make their debut in against Fax and in front of the sky cameras

Thanks for tip at Hunslet hope it is £3 now dont mind paying but £6 is a bit steep

: Thu May 21, 2009 2:52 pm  

bigjohn wrote:

After reading all the comments on this thread i feel i need to set the record straight on a number of comments made, firstly Tony Miller with the exception of one of the five games played has been to every match to watch the boys.
Secondly to all those slating the reserves these are the facts, the team are a brand NEW team who have only been together for a matter of weeks with not having the luxury of having pre season training together UNLIKE most of the other teams they are up against who are already established teams. The average age of this reserves side is 18 years old making them eligable to play under 18,s rugby let alone under 21,s.
At the Fev game the team consisted of four BOYS who are currently 17 yrs old who put thier hand up to play because of injuries etc. these boys took the field knowing they were up against MEN who are Physically stronger and more experienced and were brave enough to take a pounding as they are proud to wear the Donny shirt with most of them not even coming from the Donny area. So instead of slating the team get down to support them as although they are young at present they are talented players of the future. I ask the question would leeds academy stand any chance of beating their reserve side ?

I didn't think the supporters were slating the lads - more the amateurish way in which they felt the team was being run.

: Sat May 23, 2009 10:58 am  

Lost 90-0 last night